Marian Catholic grad found dead in Mississippi

STARKVILLE, Miss. | A 20-year-old graduate of Marian Catholic High School was found dead in an apartment complex Friday night in Starkville, Miss., but police have few clues to what caused her death.

Starkville Police Chief David Lindley said Friday that Teresa "Tess" Ann Veal, a junior at Mississippi State University, was found in her bed by her roommate about 1 a.m.

Police, responding to a 911 call, found Veal unresponsive and unconcious. A coroner called to the scene, at 215 Louisville St., Apt. 7, declared Veal dead.

"There did not appear to be any signs of foul play, but there were no apparent reasons for her death," Lindley said.

Veal's aunt, Debbie Veal Hannah, said Monday that Teresa Veal did not live at the complex where she was found and disputed police accounts that she was found by her roommate.

While at Marian Catholic, Veal was an honors student and took Advanced Placement courses as an upperclassman, school spokeswoman Gail Young said.

“Tess was always pleasant and cheerful, happy to see you,” said Nancy Werner, Veal’s geometry teacher.

“I remember Tess as being one of those students that always smiled a lot, was outgoing and positive all the time,” said Scott Bodnar, Veal’s AP psychology teacher. “She was a great student to have in the classroom.”

Veal, of Crete, graduated from Marian Catholic in 2009.

Veal's body was transported to Jackson for an autopsy, police said. Results of the autopsy are expected Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The Times' Jeanette Lach contributed to this report.